Darren Till never backs down from a fight so he happily accepted a matchup against Luke Rockhold in his latest boxing match but it turns out the former UFC champion wasn’t the first option.
Following a win over fellow UFC veteran Darren Stewart back in May, Till was anxiously awaiting word on his next opponent after Misfits promised him a big name for his return to action. While he was definitely satisfied with the option eventually presented to him, Till revealed that another former UFC superstar
was actually in talks for the fight before negotiations hit an unexpected roadblock.
“Obviously, Misfits owed me a big fight, a pay-per-view fight so obviously they have to come through with a big name, which obviously Nate Diaz [talked about a fight] and whatever,” Till told MMA Fighting. “Then they come with Luke and I was happy with it.
“Luke, former Strikeforce world champion, former UFC world champion, you don’t get to them levels in this game without being a formidable opponent. So it’s like, I was very pleased. I was very happy with the matchup. I was extremely happy, I’m not going to lie.”
Since leaving the UFC, Nate Diaz has put his full attention on a boxing career, which included past fights with Jorge Masvidal and Jake Paul. Diaz hasn’t fought since July 2024 but according to Till, talks were going well until suddenly everything stopped.
Till claims that’s all due to Diaz because he was more than ready to accept the fight.
“Nate Diaz was the one that called the fight, he named the time, place, date, weight, everything,” Till said. “I just said yes because obviously he’s the bigger side. He’s the ‘A’ side, stuff like that. But then he pulled out so I’m willing to fight any man.
“This is probably my downfall. I don’t see fighting as pick and choose. I should have done that more in my UFC career, but I’m just willing to fight. Whoever they put in front of me, obviously if it’s a big name, because they owed me a big named fight, I’m ready and willing.”
In addition to the potential matchup against Diaz, Till also pursued a fight with former UFC rival Jorge Masvidal, who knocked him out during their previous encounter at a card in London back in 2019.
Till personally tried to play matchmaker with that one but it turns out Masvidal just wasn’t in the best shape at the time, which nixed any plans to book the rematch between them in the boxing ring.
“Yeah, I actually Facetimed Masvidal while he was in Thailand and asked him to take the fight,” Till said. “But he showed me his belly and it looked like he was having a really good time. So I was like maybe that fight doesn’t happen. But I’d just love to get that fight back because Masvidal knows I’ll knock him out if we fight but obviously he’s doing it for the paycheck. He’s got one up on me so I do need my revenge fight with him. But hopefully it will come one day.
“He was living his best life. He was on the drink, he was with one of my friends. He was having a phenomenal time, and I was there for it. I was like yeah! But I don’t think he would have been ready for this date. So obviously we had to go to other people, other options.”
To be clear when it comes to a possible Masvidal rematch, Till promises that’s all about the competition and his desire to avenge a past loss.
Truth be told, Till has nothing against Masvidal whatsoever so attempting to book another fight between them isn’t personal at all — it’s just good business.
“Why would I hold any ill will to another man?” Till said. “Fighting in a respectful manner, respectful sport who knocked me out. That’s just bitterness. That’s just ego getting in the way. He won the fight fair and square. Whether you had injuries during the fight or this that and the other, at the end of the day, when history writes itself, no one is going to talk about that. People are only going to take about the win and he won.
“So for me to be holding any ill will, it’s like let’s say hypothetically Luke Rockhold beats me — because that just ain’t happening in any universe — even though I think Luke’s a big of a wanker, do I start hating on him for beating me fair and square? It’s a sport at the end of the day It’s a very violent sport but it’s a sport. May the best man win, that’s how I take it all.”
Assuming he does get through Rockhold on Aug. 30, Till would happily revisit those potential fights against Diaz or Masvidal but he also knows there are going to be other options as well.
At 32, Till still has plenty of time left in the game but he also understands he can’t fight forever, which is why he’s pursuing the biggest and best fights possible from now until he calls it a career.
“I’ve never done it for the money. That’s my problem,” Till said. “I do it because I want to fight the best. Carl Froch, Luke Rockhold, Nate Diaz, Nick Diaz, Jake Paul, we’ve got to put him up there, Tommy Fury. I like fighting these people so just keep giving them to me. I’ll keep winning.
“Sometimes we lose and that’s a part of life. That’s what I’m here for. I love fighting. Obviously, the next three or four years is me, and then after that, I’ll probably just make a little gym and just teach jiu-jitsu classes or something like that. Ride off into the sunset, me and my woman.”
